(Brooklyn, NY)— On Monday, October 8, 2012, NYPD was contacted about a man who was sleeping in the lounge of the ALIYA Institute, a synagogue and outreach center, on East New York Avenue. The homeless man, Mr. Ehud H. Halevi, had permission to sleep in the center by the Director of ALIYA, Rabbi Moshe Feiglin. Video shows that two officers from the 71st Precinct approached Mr. Halevi and attempted to place him under arrest. In the process, Mr. Halevi appears to have been pepper-sprayed, and was repeatedly punched violently. Other officers later entered the center to subdue Mr. Halevi.

On October 15, 2012, Council Member Letitia James joined other elected officials in denouncing this incident of police brutality.
Today, the Office of Kings County District Attorney Charles Hynes announced that charges were dropped against Mr. Halevi.

"I applaud District Attorney Hynes for quickly reviewing the evidence of the case, and dismissing the charges against Mr. Halevi," said Council Member Letitia James.

Council Member Letitia James is a co-sponsor of the package of legislative bills known as the Community Safety Act that would address the stop-and-frisk policy, and appoint an independent Inspector General to oversee the NYPD.